August 2021 - UFCW 1518

Workers at Avalon Dairy Win Major Contract Improvements

August 30, 2021

Ninety percent of voting workers at Avalon Dairy voted “yes” to a new contract that will bring major improvements to their workplace.

Avalon Dairy workers became members of UFCW 1518 in March 2021 and began the process of negotiating their first collective agreement shortly after. They came together to seek major workplace improvements and wage increases that will make a big difference in the lives of members.

Contract Highlights

With today’s “yes” vote, Avalon workers have won:

Union representation, including a procedure for grievances so workplace problems can be resolved.
New health & safety provisions including a Joint Health & Safety Committee.
Respectful workplace language that ensures workers are treated with respect.
Seniority and hiring and promotion provisions to make the workplace more fair.
An increase in the safety boot allowance to $150.00 per year.
Vision care coverage of $200.00 every twenty-four months.
Sick days increased to three days a year. Additionally, workers can carry unused sick days over for one year.
Major wage growth on the following schedule:
First year: A new wage classification system that will result in a minimum of a 2% wage increase. However, most members will see a significantly higher increase
Second year: 2% wages increase
Third year: 2.25% wage increase

“Workers at Avalon have proved the power of collective action with this strong new contract,” said UFCW 1518 President Kim Novak. “Their solidarity is an inspiration to workers throughout the industrial food sector to stand up for better working conditions and wages.”

For more info on the Avalon Dairy contract improvements, read the full collective bargaining agreement. Workers can also speak to their shop stewards or union representative to learn more about the contract.

Avalon Dairy workers are the latest to join the industrial food division of UFCW 1518. If you want to join a union and fight for better wages and working conditions, learn more at ufcw1518.com/join-us.

Workers at Non-Public Fund Employees (Esquimalt) Win Rest Periods and Wage Improvements

August 27, 2021

UFCW 1518 members at Non-Public Fund Employees in Esquimalt, BC have ratified a new collective agreement that will bring major workplace improvements.

The Bargaining Committee made up of Bryn Badel and Ryan Veysey, performed a great job with this agreement, which includes:

Personal Day Leave
3% wage increase in Year 1
Extension to rest periods for five (5) hour or shorter shifts

UFCW 1518 is in the midst of finalizing a copy of the new agreement, which will be shared with the Non-Public Fund Employees (Esquimalt) members as soon as it is ready.

Congratulations to all of the Non-Public Fund Employees (Esquimalt) members on your new contract!

If you are curious about how a union can help you win better wages and working conditions, check out ufcw1518.com/join-us.

UFCW 1518 Calls on Employers to Recognize Truth & Reconciliation Day

August 26, 2021

UFCW 1518 President Kim Novak sent a letter on August 25 to Save-On-Foods President Darrell Jones, Sobeys CEO Michael Medline, Sobeys Vice President, Labour Relations Andrew Follwell and others calling on them to grant their employees a day off or statutory holiday pay for the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.

In July, the federal government announced that September 30 would become a holiday for federal government employees to commemorate the legacy of residential schools. Provincial public-sector employees in BC have also been granted the holiday.

Recently, hundreds of unmarked and undocumented graves have been found near residential schools across Canada. These graves remind us of the shameful legacy of colonialism in Canada and the many thousands of lives lost to the residential school system.

The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation is an opportunity for Canadians to mourn for the dead and to learn more about the history of settler/Indigenous relations. It marks our sincere desire as a country to speak the truth and build toward reconciliation between First Nations, Inuit, and Metis people and settler Canadians.

UFCW 1518 Calls on Provincial Government to Protect Essential Workers

August 23, 2021

Today, the Government of British Columbia announced that anyone entering several types of businesses will need to provide proof of vaccination against the COVID-19 virus. These businesses include indoor ticketed sporting events and concerts, restaurants (patio or inside dining), fitness centers and gyms, and many other locations.

UFCW 1518 is concerned that grocery stores, retail environments, and cannabis stores were not included in the government announcement. Workers in these stores have been reporting that mask-wearing in-store has been declining since the mandatory mask mandate ended in July. More disturbingly, many workers have told the union that they have encountered unmasked members of the public who informed them that they are unvaccinated.

UFCW 1518 President Kim Novak sent a letter to Dr. Bonnie Henry and Minister of Health Adrian Dix asking that mask mandates be reinstated in stores that are not covered by the mandatory vaccination order. President Novak further asked that stores be required to reinstate crowd control measures like wayfinding arrows to minimize contact between workers and members of the public.

The union is also seeking clarity on whether stores that have restaurants and seating areas for cafes will be included in the mandatory vaccination order.

UFCW 1518 strongly encourages all members who have not yet received a COVID-19 vaccination to get vaccinated in order to protect themselves, their coworkers, and the public.

UFCW 1518 Calls on Provincial Government to Protect Essential Workers

August 23, 2021

The union is also seeking clarity on whether stores that have restaurants and seating areas for cafes will be included in the mandatory vaccination order.

UFCW 1518 strongly encourages all members who have not yet received a COVID-19 vaccination to get vaccinated in order to protect themselves, their coworkers, and the public.

Classified as “Contractors” – Gig Workers Need to be Included in BC’s Paid Sick Leave Program

August 12, 2021

With the provincial government announcing that it is developing a permanent paid sick leave program for all BC workers, UFCW 1518 wants to ensure that gig workers are able to reap the benefits of the new program. Due to their classification as “independent contractors,” the union is concerned that the new program, which will come into effect on January 1, 2022, will only apply to workers classified as “employees.”

The BC government is engaging all workers and employers through a survey to find out what kind of paid sick leave they currently have at work, and how it can be improved. While details of the sick leave program are still in development, such as how many days, for which workers, and source of funding, the union is also concerned that the survey results may overrepresent affluent workers who have a work-from-home option and who may be unaffected by missing a few days’ salary, at the expense of lower-income, disadvantaged, and precarious workers.

“Gig workers do not have a work-from-home option; their livelihood depends on their ability to deliver food and supplies to people. Without paid sick leave, these gig workers will have to choose between paying their bills or going to work sick. It is critical that they be included in the paid sick leave program,” stated Kim Novak, UFCW 1518 President.

Currently, gig workers are not entitled to basic employment and labour protections. These workers not only face low and unpredictable pay, but they also confront job insecurity and unsafe working conditions, such as car-jacking and harassment. With the number of people working in gig jobs rising, the provincial government will have to face the mounting pressure of addressing the needs of gig workers.

Throughout the pandemic, gig workers have been instrumental in connecting businesses and communities during the lockdowns. They deliver individuals prepared food, groceries, and other supplies, assisting vital components of our economy such as local restaurants to remain afloat while people remain safe indoors.

UFCW 1518 wants to make sure that the legal classification of gig workers as “independent contractors” will not prevent them from benefiting from the paid sick leave program. Ensuring that gig workers can take paid sick leave will not only help improve their lives, but also supports businesses and communities.

For more information on the BC government survey, click here. Visit the UFCW 1518 here for more information on how gig and contract workers are fighting for fairness in the gig economy.